[Glamdring]

Figure this is different than what handgun for bears :D

[Kamicosmos]

I voted revolver. Easier to use by crew, a bit ... safer to leave in a lock box. By safer I mean, pick it up and pull the trigger. a semi is going to have safetys, it may or may not have the round chambered, etc.

Now, I also said revolver going in the thought that right now, the training is volunteer based. A flight stewardess may be the only person available to get to the gun on the flight deck, and (s)he my not be familer with guns...


I still think it'd be a better deterant to have the Pilot and FO strap on a pair of Colt SSA, or a big 1911 or something. :D

ammo type? doesn't matter, the overpenetration/bring the plane down with a missed shot is all bogus anyways.


edited to add: dang....what happened to my spelling? ack...

[artherd]

Glock, because you can store it chambered very safely.

Probally 17s or 34s, from a capacity standpoint.

[Glamdring]

I mention the ammo because of all the no shoot targets. You might have one goblin with how many no shoots behind?

[tc300mag1]

Revolver and magsafe ammo that way there less chance of hitting someone not involved

[Ala Dan]

I voted semi-auto and Glasser.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life member

[Triad]

I think a revolver would be best. It has the simplest manual of arms and it will be reliable with whatever ammo is best suited for use in an aircraft.

[DMK]

Well these guys are supposed to be getting the best training that taxpayer dollars can buy right? They should be able to handle a semi-auto if most of us can. I say get them something good. How about a nice Sig P220 with hollow points?

[Moparmike]

Personally, if they are going to be carrying revolvers it should be an S&W .500mag. Just for the hell of it.

***Arabic Terrorist shouting***
*Pilot draws on Terrorist* "What was that son? Why yes, it is shiny. Now go back to your seat.":evil:


I think that it would be great for the stewardesses to be carrying MP5's and the cabin crew carrying WW2-style Thompsons.:evil: :evil: :evil:

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

You missed a spot on the poll. There's no entry for 'phased pulse rifle in the 40 watt range'.

No, that doesn't mean a frazzlin' Taser, either.

I think the guys (and ladies) up front should have whatever they want or need to get their job done. As long as it makes holes in terrorists. Big ones, please. And lots of them.

As for me, I will know when to run forward and tackle and also when to duck. My job involves keeping those people off the planes to begin with.


Regards,
Rabbit.

[4v50 Gary]

I voted for revolver. Easy to use especially if non-dominant weak hand (dominant hand on controls) is the only one you've got.

[Ganjiro]

Ammo must be either Glaser, or Magsafe to decrease chance of overpenetration hitting a innocent bystander. Puncture to hull causing rapid decompression a myth. If well trained a semiauto 40 S&W in Glock of reasonable fact simile a good choice. If not well trained a ss model 66 S&W or reasonable fact simile revolver.

[Mulliga]

The Glaser slugs aren't likely to be "safer" for the aircraft's skin, but they are extremely effective manstoppers, and will definitely nullify any overpenetration concerns (i.e., shooting through a BG to hit an innocent passenger beyond).

Gotta go with the autoloader. There probably won't be much extra ammo around in the first place, so that first mag has to count.

[cratz2]

I tend to think that if they are getting somewhat decent training and follow-up training ongoing, either a Glock or a Sig in 9mm with some hot 115 or 124-127 Gr load would be ideal... light recoil, very consistant reliability, easy to shoot well, easy manual of arms. Assuming it would be kept in a bullet proof box, a round would be in the chamber.

If less training is involved, a revolver would probably be a better choice. Probably still go with something in the ballpark of 9mm... 38 Special +P and a 4" barrel, I guess.

Hate to sound like whatever this makes me sound like, but with as many people as are on board and as many casualties as would be possible with another 9/11 type event, over penetration shouldn't be a high priority nor should firing absoultely as many rounds as neccessary.

[Art Eatman]

Whatever handgun with which the pilot shows the best proficiency. Whatever ammo is least likely to over-penetrate; possibly Glaser or some such...

Art

[Greybeard]

I believe the decision has already been made, at least for the first round. A good friend is scheduled for the skul in NM shortly. He came by the range a few weeks back just after visiting with another pilot who'd already been. I forgot specifically which version, but the handgun is an HK in .40. Not sure of the load, but strongly suspect JHPs.

[Zach S]

I think the guys (and ladies) up front should have whatever they want or need to get their job done. As long as it makes holes in terrorists. Big ones, please. And lots of them. Agreed.

While I havent met many pilots, the ones I did were ex-military (two Nave, one Airforce, and I cant remember the other two), let 'em carry (ON THEIR PERSON!) what they trained with or whatever they prefer.

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

A friend is a pilot and says that only 10 passenger pilots have received the government training and their companies have not allowed them guns yet because they cannot agree what kind of box to keep the gun in and there is no place in the crowded pilot cockpit to put it. The Govt is also dragging it feet in allowing a place for any more pilots to be trained as they took over the facility that was supposed to train the pilots for the use of Sky Marshals so there is no training scheduled at all now.

many pilots are ex military or country boys familiar with guns but will not be allowed to wear one.
John Paul

[Zundfolge]

I think the plane should be equiped with a .357mag revolver loaded with JHPs, but if a pilot wants to carry his own personal weapon he should be allowed (along with passengers with CCWs).

I'm against using Magsafes or other fragnable ammo because you want to end the fight RIGHT NOW and Hollowpoints are the best bet there (plus this nonsense about bringing the plane down by putting a bullet hole in the skin or a window is just hogwash).


As for fear of hitting "no-shoots", I understand the desire to keep collateral damage down, but frankly, if the pilot and/or Air Marshall fails, then it will be USAF taking the terrorists out (along with all the "no-shoots").

[Bobarino]

GreyBeard,

the gun will be the H&K USP Compact in .40 with the LEM tirgger. at least thats the last report i heard. the ones currently in service are the Glcok 23s. H&K won the contract, but it was held up in congress becuase they are not a U.S. company. their new plant shold change that. i hope.

Bobby

[M99M12]

When you get on an airplane, everybody is issued a firearm. When some 'person' stands up and says "I gotta .38, I'm taking this plane into the Statue of Liberty", some old gal puts down her needlepoint and says "Well,I have a .45 and I say we're going on to Ft. Lauderdale". :neener:

[Mr Grinch]

The truth is that there are lots of armed pilots, and many more on the way.

Despite the baloney and rumors you may be hearing, the training is outstanding, and pilots are signing up for the course in droves. The tools are already well established, and llike the rest of the program, are also outstanding.

Grinch

http://www.artesianews.com/Archives/fletc004.htm

[Bobarino]

Mr. Grinch,

the TSA is complaining that they can't fill their courses. but they are turning away applicants left and right. want to see some REAL stories on the subject from REAL pilots? check out this site...

www.secure-skies.org

Bobby

[Mr Grinch]

Um, well, I am familiar with real stories from real pilots, the ones who made it through the program, not the rejects who can't pass a simple job interview.

Much of the stuff on that site is overstated and some is just plain wrong. The rejection rate is about what you would expect, very low.

After the first class or two, there have been no open slots. Initially some slots left unfilled due to the short lead times and inablility of pilots to get off when the program was first stood up. Pilots who couldn't get there on short notice were simply rescheduled.

All of the crap about intimidation and such is a lame excuse, there are pilots graduating every week. That outfit is upset that pilots keep signing up, going through the screening and training, and providing a deterrent. It is obviously personal between them and TSA.

Whining doesn't stop terrorists.

Grinch

[Ktulu]

I'm against using Magsafes or other fragnable ammo because you want to end the fight RIGHT NOW and Hollowpoints are the best bet there (plus this nonsense about bringing the plane down by putting a bullet hole in the skin or a window is just hogwash).

As for fear of hitting "no-shoots", I understand the desire to keep collateral damage down, but frankly, if the pilot and/or Air Marshall fails, then it will be USAF taking the terrorists out (along with all the "no-shoots").

My thoughts exactly.